Julia Burke

Julia is a wine educator with an interest in labor and politics in the wine industry. She has also written about fitness and exercise science, mental health, beer, and a variety of other topics for Skepchick. She has been known to drink Amaro Montenegro with PB&J.
  • Politics

    My Election Results Wine Pairing

    At 9:25am (Pacific Time), shouts of joy and car horns filling the streets of Oakland all around me, I texted my partner the answer he’d been waiting for: “Grab the TJ’s brut rosé.” The question? What to drink with the news that all major outlets had called the 2020 presidential election for Joe Biden. I can explain myself, obviously. I…

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  • Anti-ScienceCaster Semenya triumphant

    Maybe “the integrity of female athletics” is a bad idea

    I can’t stop thinking of this photo of Lynsey Sharp being hugged by fellow White lady Melissa Bishop after losing to Caster Semenya. The recently announced ruling that will force Semenya to take drugs to lower her natural testosterone levels has been widely discussed for the completely scientifically unfounded, racist, sexist, and homophobic, not to mention simply inhumane, dumpster fire of…

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  • Skepticism

    Stranger Things, for Wimps

    My name is Julia Burke, and I have a scary movie problem. I think. I’ve never actually seen one all the way through. In 2005 I made it through about thirty minutes of House of Wax, which seemed too goofy to be actually scary and featured Dean from Gilmore Girls, before leaving the theater early to spend the rest of…

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  • ScienceTyrion Lannister pictured with a carafe of wine, clearly saying something witty.

    Cover Letter Requesting Employment at Tyrion Lannister’s Winery

    To Lord Tyrion Lannister of Meereen, advisor to Daenerys Stormborn, The Unburnt; Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and of the First Men Queen; Queen of Meereen; Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea; Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons: I am writing to offer my services as oenological consultant to your recently announced project, The Imp’s Delight. You mentioned…

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  • FeminismDistiller Marianne Barnes

    This 28-Year-Old Vegan Master Distiller Is Pretty Much Our Favorite Woman Ever

    Marianne Barnes encompasses everything we love here at Skepchick: science, nerdery, women kicking ass, and booze. As the first female master Kentucky bourbon distiller at 28 years old, she’s an inspiration for whiskey geeks and women in STEM alike. Barnes is now at the helm of the upcoming Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the historical site of…

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  • Feminism

    Sexy Manspreading: Don’t Fight The Feeling

    Manspreading is the key to the hearts of women everywhere—at least, that’s the conclusion of a recent Atlantic article, “When Manspreading is Sexy.” It’s based on the findings of a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that found that men who sat in “expansive postures” got better reactions in speed dating than those who adopted a…

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  • ScienceWhite wine with tartrate crystals in bottom of glass

    Wine Flaws: Send It Back or Suck It Up?

    One of the most intimidating aspects of wine can be the prospect of sending back flawed wine in a restaurant. It’s an understandable anxiety inducer: You’re in a fancy public place, you have to know what you’re talking about enough to instigate an awkward situation, and some wine flaws can be tricky even for professionals to identify. But don’t fret!…

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  • Featured

    Your Phrase Is Problematic

    I’ve got bad news for you. That celebrity whose style you adore? Said something super shitty. That politician whose quotes you will never not share on social media? Voted for some things you might not agree with. That show host you love is friends with this asshole. In fact, your friends are problematic too. So are your loved ones. You…

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